Suprasternal notch view of aortic arch and brachiocephalic vein

In this view, taken with the neck extended and the probe positioned at the suprasternal notch and angled caudally, the aortic arch is visualized centrally. The aortic vessel wall is a linear structure that separates the aorta from the brachiocephalic vein; this should not be confused with a dissection. The brachiocephalic vein has continuous flow in both systole and diastole when visualized by color Doppler, and this further differentiates the structure from the aorta or branch arteries.